Epilepsy Drugs may be linked to suicide says New York Malpractice Lawyer

Recent research has revealed a possible link between some medications and suicide. A New York Malpractice Lawyer found that a study conducted by Brigham and Women’s Hospital located in Boston, MA concluded that drugs commonly used for epilepsy and other medical conditions may have an increased risk for fatal side effects. Patients taking the medications, gabapentin (Neurontin), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), lamotrigine (Lamictal), and tiagabine(Gabitril), were most likely to cause harm to themselves. The drug, topiramate (Topamax), was also included in the investigation, but posed lesser of a danger. These anticonvulsants are also used in the treatment of migraine headaches, bi-polar disorder, neuralgia, mania, and other pain disorders. The inquiry of 297,620 cases uncovered 827 suicidal acts, 801 attempts and 26 actual suicides, and also reported 41 violent deaths. Some doctors argue that the findings are incomplete as the possibility of underlying psychiatric issues of the patients was not analyzed. A New York Malpractice Lawyer states that it is important that patients taking these or any other drugs consult with their physician with concerns about side effects before discontinuing, as this may cause additional problems. It was not determined how exactly these medications caused patients to injure themselves, but more extensive tests have revealed that failure to treat epilepsy could result in death as well. Depression is a common side effect of severe pain syndromes and epilepsy, and patients should talk with their doctors about it and anxiety. Dealing with such emotions without the support of medical personnel and family can have devastating results.

If your family has been affected by the death or suicidal attempt by someone one of these or any other medication, you need a New York Medical Malpractice Lawyer to evaluate your case.

The firm of Stephen Bilkis & Associates and its New York Medical Malpractice Lawyers with convenient locations in the New York Metropolitan Area, including Morris Heights, New York, can be of invaluable assistance to you if you find yourself a victim of medical malpractice. Enduring pain, disfigurement and financial anguish without professional representation is not the path you should choose.